Rules of Play T a B L E O F C O N T E N T S

1.0 Introduction...... 2 7.0 Conflict Resolution Procedure...... 15 2.0 The Map...... 2 8.0 Special Rules...... 18 3.0 Markers...... 4 9.0 Victory...... 20 4.0 Cards...... 5 10.0 Scenarios...... 20 5.0 Sequence of Play...... 8 Credits...... 24 6.0 Actions...... 9

GMT Games, LLC • P.O. Box 1308, Hanford, CA 93232-1308 • www.GMTGames.com 2 Hitler’s Reich ~ Rules of Play

• 5 Gray Cubes to indicate the initial Axis Operation 1.0 Introduction Barbarossa Attacks (4) and that the Nazi-Soviet Pact Hitler’s Reich is the first of the Card Conquest System game is in effect as well as the four Soviet Allied Attacks series in which players recreate epic military contests of history of the 1944 Operation Bagration in short, comparatively simple and easy to learn but hard to • 6 Canary Yellow Cubes to indicate… master games. Designed to be set up in minutes and played to ◦ Blitzkrieg Attacks (3) conclusion in one sitting, these are not simulations but games— ◦ Italian Surrender albeit ones packed with enough historical flavor, excitement, ◦ Malta Besieged and decision making to give you the feeling of being there at ◦ Spain’s temporary value as an Axis Production Center the highest levels of command. • 2 player Aid Sheets/Cards (PAC #1; back-printed) In Hitler’s Reich, one side is the Axis of Nazi Germany, Fascist • 1 sheet for the Axis “bot” Solitaire Game (PAC #2; 17”x11”, Italy, and their East European minions. The other is the Allies back-printed with a Compendium of the game’s Event cards) of the United States, Great Britain and its Commonwealth, • One Game Setup card for the 1944 Scenario (10.3), back- along with the Soviet Union. It is April of 1941 and Hitler, printed with optional six-Month/nine-Game-Turn Record already master of Europe and much of the Mediterranean, is Track (PAC #3; see Playbook, section 13.10) poised to launch his great march East—Operation Barbarossa, the invasion of Soviet Russia. Unfortunately for his ambitions, • Rules of Play manual (this booklet) his Italian partner is in trouble, so he is faced with pressure to • Playbook manual divert forces to drive into the Balkans and commit more troops to the Western Desert. As the Allied high command, will you succeed in throwing 2.0 The Map back this onslaught and eventually liberate Europe by a Soviet The map is divided into spaces comprising Land Areas and counter-offensive and Operation Overlord’s amphibious inva- Sea Zones. It includes Islands, Straits, Production Centers and sion of France? Or as the Axis leadership, will you triumph Capitals. over all and create the thousand-year empire that would have been Hitler’s Reich? Map Legend Special 1.1 Components Production Production Center A complete set of Hitler’s Reich includes: Center Western (see 8.3) (oil drum icon) • One mounted 17” x 22” map Allies Soviet Vichy Neutral Axis icon icon Land icon Land • One deck of Conflict cards (comprising four suits of 13 cards icon country Land Area Area Area each plus two Double Agents): 54 total cards. • One deck of 56 Hitler’s Reich Event cards • Ten six-sided dice (five ivory with black pips, five black with ivory pips) • Assorted wooden pieces: ◦ 75 Control Marker Disks: 35 Axis black, 15 Soviet Allied red, 25 Western Allied blue ◦ 13 Hexagonal Pieces: 4 Axis black and 4 Allied blue for Fortification markers, the others to indicate the Hand Size for each side (2), Big Push availability (2), and when a Bonus Action is earned (1) ◦ 3 Short Cylinders: One blue and one black for use on the Year Track, one white for marking a Land or Sea Conflict, each embossed with a gold star on Unplayable Special Crossing Sea Zone Land Area Island Arrow border border one end (Malta; 8.4) • 10 Long Fleets: 6 Allied blue and 4 Axis black

2.1 Land Areas 2.3 Straits The map contains the following Land Areas: Straits are a type of Land Area, some of which have special rules noted below to reflect their geography. The map contains Area Status the following Straits: Neutral Areas: Portugal, Area Status Saudi Arabia, Never playable. Denmark Borders the Ruhr Land Area and the Skaggerak Sweden, Sea Zone. Switzerland Note: Denmark is not adjacent to Norway. Spain, Turkey Playable once activated by the Franco Gibraltar Borders Spain and the Strait Sea Zone around and Turkey Declares War! Events, re- Gibraltar. spectively. Note: Gibraltar is not adjacent to Morocco. Vichy: Sicily Although also an Island, Sicily is adjacent to Algeria, These five Areas are collectively known the Naples Land Area. Morocco, as Vichy and are a special case (8.5). See Note: You may not Attack Naples from Sicily Syria/Levant, also the Vichy Defects! Event card. (or the other way around) if your opponent Tunisia, Controls or is Disputing (2.4) the Control of Vichy France the Sicilian Sea Zone. If you Control the Sicilian Sea Zone, and either 2.2 Islands Sicily or Naples, you may conduct a Land At- Islands are special Land Areas in that they may only be captured tack from Sicily against Naples (or the other by successful Paratroop Attack or Amphibious Attack (6.5.1). way around) without an Amphibious Attack The map contains the following Islands: (6.5.1, item #3). Turkey A single Land Area which is adjacent to both Island Description the Black Sea and the Aegean Sea Zones, and Ireland Inside the Irish Sea Zone Turkey connects them. Sardinia Inside the Tyrrhenian Sea Zone. Turkey is neutral unless and until the Turkey Crete Borders the Eastern Med and Aegean Declares War! Event is played. Sea Zones. Note: While Turkey is Neutral, the Black Sea Cyprus Inside the Levantine Sea Zone. and the Aegean Sea are not considered to be adjacent. London & Scotland An Island with two Land Areas: Lon- If Turkey is no longer neutral: don borders Scotland and the North, (a) Whoever Controls Turkey may treat the Irish, and Channel Sea Zones. Scot- Black and Aegean Seas as adjacent. land borders London and the North, Irish, and Atlantic Sea Zones. (b) Turkey is considered to border Greece and Bulgaria, as well as the Caucasus, Persia, Malta Inside the Sicilian Sea Zone. and Syria/Levant Land Areas. Note: Malta and Sicily are two separate Islands in the same Sea Zone. 2.4 Sea Zones You must Control Malta and Sicily to launch a Paratroop or Amphibious The map includes 19 Sea Zones. Only named Sea Zones (e.g., Attack (6.5.1) from the Sicilian Sea “Channel”) are playable. These do not have printed Control Zone. Such Attacks within the Sea symbols; all are Uncontrolled and up for grabs at the start of Zone do not require you to Control the 1941 game. An Attack Action (6.5) may be used to establish both Islands. Control of a Sea Zone. Sicily Inside the Sicilian Sea Zone. Disputed Control. A Sea Zone Controlled by one player but Note: Sicily is also a Strait (2.3). containing an enemy Fleet is a Disputed Sea Zone. Otherwise Control is Undisputed.

2.5 Production Centers & Capitals 2.6.2 Year Track There are 18 Production Centers on the map, each marked Use one Axis and one Allied hexagonal marker with an oil drum symbol. Some have more than one symbol to indicate the current Year of play. The Scenario showing their increased value as listed in the table below. The instructions (10.0) specify the starting locations North and Irish Seas represent crucial Allied Convoy routes to of these markers for each Scenario. A side’s hexagonal cylinder Britain. is placed with its embossed star side up to indicate availability of its annual Reorganize Action (6.1). It is then turned star side Production down to indicate that Action has been taken for that year. Center Belongs to Value Notes 2.6.3 Game Status Boxes Austria Axis 1 Map-printed Game Status Boxes comprise the following: Berlin Axis 3 Provides one bonus • Blitzkrieg Available. Use yellow cubes to indicate how many (Capital) defense die when Blitzkrieg Bonus Actions are available (7.9.2). Attacked (7.4.1) Use the designated yellow hexagonal Paris Axis 1 Can be a Production • Bonus Action Earned. marker that a Bonus Action (7.9) has been earned. (at start) Center of Axis or Allies (8.3) • Nazi-Soviet Pact in Effect. Use a grey cube to indicate that the Pact is in effect. Romania Axis 1 Use a yellow cube to indicate whether Rome Axis 1 See 8.2 Italy • Italian Surrender. Italy has Surrendered (8.2). Ruhr Axis 1 • Axis Big Push Marker Available. Use a black hexagonal Archangel Soviet Allied 1 marker to indicate whether the Axis has a Big Push (6.3.2 & Leningrad Soviet Allied 1 6.6) available. Caucasus Soviet Allied 1 • Allied Big Push Marker Available. Use a green hexagonal Kharkov Soviet Allied 1 marker to indicate whether the Allied side has a Big Push Moscow Soviet Allied 2 Provides one bonus (6.3.2 & 6.6) available. (Capital) defense die when Attacked (7.4.1) Stalingrad Soviet Allied 1 3.0 Markers Gibraltar Western Allied 1 Other than previously noted, there are three kinds of markers Persia Western Allied 1 in Hitler’s Reich: Control markers (3.1), Fleets (3.2), and For- Irish Sea Western Allied 1 tifications (3.3). London Western Allied 2 Provides one bonus Voluntary Removal. If you do not have a Fortification or Fleet (Capital) defense die when marker available, you may voluntarily remove one of your own Attacked (7.4.1) already in play and use it in your Action. North Sea Western Allied 1 Suez Western Allied 1 3.1 Control Markers Three of the Production Center Areas are also Capitals. Unlike many other games, in Hitler’s Reich there are no combat units for you to use. Instead, you mark the progress of your forces Losing or regaining Control of one of your own Production by using wooden disk-shaped Control markers on the different Centers and Capitals has special effects described in 6.5.2.1. Areas/Zones of the map. 2.6 Map Boxes & Tracks

The map contains the following boxes and tracks. 35 Axis 15 Soviet 25 Western Allied 2.6.1 Hand Size Track If you do not have a Control marker available, you may volun- Use that side’s short round cylinder markers tarily remove one of your own already in play and use it in your to indicate the Axis and Allied Hand Size Action. For details about Allied limitations on placing Control (4.1.4). The Scenario instructions (10.0) markers, see 6.5.3.1. specify the starting Hand Sizes for each Scenario. A side’s cylinder is placed with its embossed star side 3.2 Fleets up until its Hand Size is three or less. It is then turned star side Each player has a finite pool of long wooden Fleets representing down to indicate vulnerability of a Sudden Death game loss naval-related efforts to seize or defend the seas. (9.1).

You may never have more Fleets than the number you start the American White Star. game with. When you use a Fleet marker, you take it from your pool and put it on the map. Each player may only place a single Fleet in each Sea Zone. Soviet Red Star.

3.3 Fortifications In addition, each side begins the game with one Double Agent Each player has a finite pool of hexagonal-shaped Fortification Conflict cardwhich aligns to no suit. The side playing a Double markers. Agent loses ties (4.1.3). Note: Some Events allow the play of a second Conflict card. If they are of different suits, or if one is a Double Agent, the higher ranked suit is counted for breaking the tie. 4 Axis 4 Allied Note: The Allied player has some restrictions on when the You may never have more Fortification markers than the number player must use Soviet Red Star Conflict cards, if the player you start the game with. When you use a Fortification marker, has any, when Attacks are resolved in Land Areas or Sea Zones you take it from your pool and put it on the map. Each player involving the Soviets (6.5.3). may only place a single Fortification in each Land Area. When placing a Fortification marker on a Production Center Land 4.1.3 Conflict Card Values & Special Properties Area, have its embossed star face-up. Have the embossed star All Conflict cards have a numerical value, and some have a face down if placed in any other Land Area. Special Property, or Bonus, as shown in the following table as well as on the Conflict cards themselves: 4.0 Cards Card Value Special Property Saboteur 1 Reduces the value of one Conflict There are two types of cards in Hitler’s Reich, Conflict cards Resolution card played by the op- (4.1) and Event cards (4.2). ponent to one. Note: The opponent’s Conflict card 4.1 Conflict Cards retains any Special Property. The Conflict cards inHitler’s Reich are based on those used in a 2-10 2-10 None. standard playing card deck with unique Hitler’s Reich symbols Double Agent 10 Blocks the reroll Special Property which constitute Suits (4.1.2). Each Conflict card has a Value of one Conflict card played by the and some have Special Properties (4.1.3). opponent. If you play a Double Agent and lose the Conflict Resolution, you must put the Double Agent on your opponent’s discard pile. If two Double Agents are the only Conflict cards played and there is a tie, the Active player (7.1.1) wins the tie. See 7.6 for more. Lieutenant-General 11 Allows the player to optionally reroll (Bonus card) one die in Conflict Resolution (7.0) or when doing a Reinforce Action 4.1.1 Using Conflict Cards to try to gain a Big Push (6.3.2). Conflict cards are available in Suits (4.1.2) and dealt to the play- Field Marshal* 12 Allows the player to optionally reroll ers at the game start (5.1). Conflict cards are used in Conflict (Bonus card) two dice in Conflict Resolution (7.0) Resolutions. * “General of the Army” or when doing a Reinforce Action on Western Allied card to try to gain a Big Push (6.3.2). 4.1.2 Suits Supreme Commander 13 Allows the player to optionally reroll The four Conflict card suits are: (Bonus card) three dice in Conflict Resolution German Balkan Cross. This is the highest ranked suit; (7.0) or when doing a Reinforce Ac- the Axis always wins ties when playing a German Cross. tion to try to gain a Big Push (6.3.2). Italian Fascist Symbol. This is the lowest ranked suit; the Axis always loses ties when playing a Fascist- Example: The 3-value Western Allied Conflict card has a value of symbol card. 3, the 5 German Cross Conflict card has a value of 5, and so on.

Example: In a Conflict Resolution (7.0), your opponent plays a 4.2 Event Cards Lieutenant-General. This has the Special Property of allowing the Event cards (or Events) represent a range of actual or potential option to reroll one die. The player does not have to reroll any die. historical occurrences and their effects in Hitler’s Reich game Example: In a Conflict Resolution (7.0), your opponent plays a terms. These are divided into three decks and have different card Field Marshal. This has the Special Property of allowing the op- background colors and associated symbols: tion to reroll one or two dice. If you play a Double Agent against a Field Marshal, your opponent loses that reroll option. If you Allied or Axis (AXEC) play a Saboteur against a 12 value Field Marshal, both cards are worth one (1) each (nasty effect, eh?) but the Field Marshal Allied only (AEC) still retains the option to reroll one or two dice. 4.1.4 Conflict Card Hand & Hand Size Western Allied Your Hand Size is the maximum number of Conflict cards you Soviet Allied may hold at a time. • You may never have more cards than the number shown by Axis only (XEC) your marker on the Hand Size Track (2.6.1). A reference in the rules to a player’s own Events means the • Your Hand Size may never exceed 12. Events labeled for that player’s side only. If at any time you have more Conflict cards than your Hand Example: The Allied player’s own Events are those labeled Al- Size, you must immediately Discard (4.1.5) sufficient Conflict lied. These do not include those labeled Allied or Axis. cards of your choice so you have the number of Conflict cards equal to your Hand Size. Note: In these rules and the Play Book, Event card titles are Unless expressly indicated otherwise, if any game activity would printed in Small Capitals. increase the Hand Size beyond 12 Conflict cards, the activity Each Event has a title, an effect and one or more symbols as- still happens, but you ignore the Hand Size increase. sociated with it. When you must lose a Conflict card from your Hand through Card’s number loss of a Production Center and/or Capital (2.5), or an Event, that loss happens immediately. You must also immediately adjust Event card type Associated the marker on the Hand Size Track (2.6.1). and uses symbols (see 4.2.5) 4.1.5 Drawing, Discarding & Reshuffling Conflict Cards Name of card Drawing. When you need to draw a Conflict card, draw the top card of your Conflict card deck. Summary of card’s effect Reshuffling.When you need to draw a Conflict card and there Description of are no more Conflict cards in your deck, you must Reshuffle your card’s effect discard pile to form a new Conflict card deck. Each Reshuffle has the effects detailed in the section 5.4. Discarding. When you Discard a Conflict card, you must put it face up upon your own discard pile. Each player has his own discard pile. Note: The Original Draw symbol ( ) marks Events that are involved in the 1941 Pre-Game Event Draw (5.1, 10.2.2). Exception: When you play a Double Agent in any Conflict Resolution, and lose, you must discard the Double Agent on your 4.2.1 Using Event Cards opponent’s discard pile. Note: The functionalities of all Event Cards are summarized in Only the top card of your discard pile should be visible to your the BOT Player Aid Card’s “grid” (PAC # 2). The grid’s details opponent. You may never examine your opponent’s discard take precedence over card text in event of any use dispute. pile, but you may examine your own discard pile at any time. Event cards can be acquired by taking an Event Action (6.4), Sudden Death Victory Warning: You instantly lose the through the Pre-Game Procedure (5.1), and through the End of game, if at any point during the game, you do not have enough the Year Procedure (5.5). Conflict cards in your Hand to satisfy a discard requirement Events can be played in the course of a Conflict Resolution (7.0) (e.g., your Hand Size is reduced to Zero or less, 9.1). to obtain the effect described by the Event card.

4.2.2 Maximum Event Holding Limit You may not hold more than six Events, in any combination of 4.2.5.2 Returnable Events ( ) types, at any one time. Events with the symbol are Returnable. • After use, whether you win or lose, place Returnable Events If you have six holdable Events and receive another, you must back into the appropriate Event Deck/Array (4.2.4). immediately Discard one Event of your choice. • You may repeatedly acquire and use Returnable Events during Exception: You may hold more than six Events, if you receive a game, subject to a minimum waiting period: them as Year End Bonus Events (5.5.1) and this makes you ex- ◦ Waiting Period. After you use a Returnable Event, give ceed the limit. However, as you use or discard Events, the limit it to your opponent face-down to set aside. The Event is is reapplied. not available to you to be immediately reacquired again. 4.2.3 In and Out of Play During the upcoming turn’s Preparation Phase (5.2), the Events may be with either player (placed in front of the player opponent must return the Event to the appropriate Deck/ visible to the other player), temporarily set aside in the box top if Array after which either player may try to acquire an Recyclable, or out of play (e.g., in the other box top). Some out AXEC Returnable Event or Event cards of their respective of play Events may return (see 4.2.5.2 Returnable Events, ). Deck/Array by taking an Event Action (6.4). Example: At the beginning of a turn, the Axis uses Paratroops, 4.2.4 Deck/Array Desperate Gamble and Reserves to capture London. The capture For ease of access during the game, the players may want to ar- of London provides a Production Center Bonus (7.9) which may range each type of available Event in a deck or array of face-up not be used to reacquire any of these three Returnable Events. Event cards—henceforth Deck/Array (e.g., the 12 Allied-Axis Nor can that turn’s Axis Bonus Action be used to reacquire any cards could be arranged in three rows of four face-up cards each of these. if all were available)—and set them near the map. The Axis player could seek to reacquire these Returnable Events 4.2.5 Types of Events during that player’s next turn: presuming the opponent does not There are four types of Events: secure one of the Allied or Axis cards first. TheParatroops and Reserves are Allied or Axis Events and may thus be acquired by Reusable the Allied player, while Desperate Gamble is an Axis Only Event.

Returnable 4.2.5.3 Removable Events ( ) Events with the symbol are Removable. Removable • If a Removable Event is won in an Event Action (6.4) by the Recyclable player taking the Event Action (and by that player alone), resolve the Event’s effect(s) immediately, then remove the Event from the game. 4.2.5.1 Reusable Events ( ) Events with the symbol are Reusable. • Otherwise, return the Event back to the Event Deck/Array. • If you play a Reusable Event in a Conflict Resolution (7.0), It may be selected for an Event Action again. and win, you keep the Event card but flip it over to its back, Note: Removable and Recyclable Events are resolved imme- inverted side. In the Preparation Phase of your turn (5.2), diately upon their acquisition; they never become one of the you turn any inverted Reusable Events face up again. Events held by a player and thus are not subject to the Event • When defending or Attacking (6.5), you may only use the Holding Limit (4.2.2). same Reusable Event once per player turn. Exception: Blitzkrieg (7.9.2) allows you to reuse the same Event during 4.2.5.4 Recyclable Events ( ) the same turn as many as four times (once for the original Events with the symbol are Recyclable. Attack and three more times for each Blitzkrieg Attack). After use, place Recyclable Events in the box top. Some of these • You must return Reusable Events to the appropriate Event Events may become available again during a Reshuffle (5.4) or Deck/Array (4.2.4) if you use them in a Conflict Resolution at the Year’s End (5.5). and you lose. Recyclable Hold Aside Events. Do not put the Recyclable Example: Using a Reusable Event, e.g., Allied Artillery & Events with the symbol (Strategic Bombing (Allied), Partisans or Tiger Tanks, in a successful Attack (including any Turncoats (Allied), or V-Rockets (Axis) into the Event Deck/ successful Blitzkrieg Attack[s], 7.9.2) during your turn will make Array at the 1941 game start. These Events become available that Event unavailable during your opponent’s turn. However, at the end of 1941 (5.5) at which point they are added to the the Event will be available for use again during your next turn. appropriate Deck/Array.

Event Card Types Reminder: The Four R’s—Reusable, Returnable, Removable, and Recyclable Events.

• After each Action and possible Bonus Action(s) above, the 5.0 Sequence of Play players conduct a Cleanup (7.8). A game of Hitler’s Reich has the following structure: Play continues with successive game turns until the 1945 year 1. Selection of the Game Type and Set-Up (10.0). ends, or until an end point is reached per the selected game 2. The Pre-Game constructions of the Conflict card decks, Event option, when Victory is adjudicated, unless one player wins card Decks/Arrays, and each player’s starting hand of Conflict Sudden Death Victory or concedes victory to the opponent. cards and available Events. (See 9.0 Victory.) 3. The Game turns (5.2) during which the players take Actions Note: Unlike many other games, you do not advance the game (6.0). turn marker at the end of each game turn. Instead, the passing 4. The End of Turn and End of Year procedures (5.5). of time from year to year is triggered and recorded by player Conflict card deck Reshuffles. This may happen at any time 5.1 Game Type, Set-Up, & Pre-Game Conflict in either player’s turn. For details, see 5.4. and Event Card Deals Before commencing a game, players should agree to the type of 5.3 Playing Cards game and its length. There are the following options: Players play Conflict and Event cards to conduct Actions (6.0). • Full Game: 1941 Start (10.2) Used Conflict cards get discarded, face up, in each player’s own • Short Game: 1944 Start (10.3) discard pile. See 4.2 for how Event cards are treated. • Short Introductory Games: Choice of either a two-year The rules sections for particular Actions (6.0) as well as the version (1941-1942; 10.41) or a three-year version (1941- Conflict Resolution Procedure (7.0) contain further important 1943;10.42) details on how to use cards. See Playbook’s section 16 for • Solitaire Modes: See Playbook’s #1 Fog of War (15.1) and examples of play. #2 Axis Bot (15.2) • Tournament Versions: see Playbook 14.2 and this manual’s 5.4 Conflict Card Reshuffles 10.4.3 Whenever a player needs to draw a Conflict card and there are For the general setup instructions, Pre-Game Conflict and no more Conflict cards in the deck, a Reshuffle automatically Event card deals, and the Scenario Set-Ups, see 10.1, 10.2, occurs: the player reshuffles the Discard pile to form a new 10.3, and 10.4. Conflict card deck. Each Axis Reshuffle, and other Reshuffles, have possible further effects detailed below. 5.2 Game Turn Overview 5.4.1 General Reshuffle Effects Each game turn consists of the following phases, resolved in Whenever a player Reshuffles: order. • That player’s short cylinder marker on the Year Track moves Important: Each turn, the Axis player is always the first one box forward. Exception: If your opponent’s marker has to play. not yet reached the same Year Track box as yours, do not move your marker further. Preparation Phase • If that player’s marker moves into a Year Track box in which The player whose turn it is does the following, in order: the opponent’s marker is already placed, this triggers the End • Flips over any of the player’s own inverted Reusable Events of Year procedure (5.5). ( ) so they are available for use. • If any War Production Event cards are out of play, one • Puts Returnable Events ( )—which the opponent passed must be added back to the relevant Event Deck/Array. over during his immediately preceding turn—into the • Also apply the Axis and Allied Reshuffle effects as detailed appropriate Event Deck/Array (4.2.4). below (5.4.2 and 5.4.3). • Checks for Malta Surrender (8.4). Example: The 1941 game begins with both players’ Year Track • If this is the Axis player turn after Vichy is first Attacked, the markers in the At Start box. After the start of the game, when Axis player puts Axis Control markers on all Vichy Areas you first exhaust your Conflict card deck and need to Reshuffle, that are not under Allied Control (8.5). put your Time Record Track marker in the End of 1941 box. If yours is the only marker in the End of 1941 box, it means the Action Phase year 1941 has not yet ended. Leave the marker there and wait The player whose turn it is: for your opponent’s marker to arrive. As soon as both your and • Takes one Action (6.0), and if relevant, resolves it using the your opponent’s Year Track markers are in the End of 1941 box, Conflict Resolution Procedure (7.0), then the year 1941 has concluded. • Depending on the type and result of that Action, the player may be able to take a further Bonus Action or Actions (7.9). 5.4.2 Axis Reshuffle Effects • Certain circumstances may trigger a Reshuffle (5.4) and/or • When the Axis player Reshuffles, the Allied player immediately the End of Year procedures (5.5). draws a Conflict card and indicates this by moving the Allied

Hand Size marker one space down on the Hand Size Track Play Note: The Allied player should therefore strive to have (2.6.1). Exception: The Axis may use the Speer Event card, an as large as possible Conflict card Hand when the end of once per game, to avoid this Allied Hand Size increase. 1943 looms imminent and this option becomes available. Design Note: The gradually growing Allied Hand Size Winning War Production and/or Convoy Events can assist represents the passage of time and the increasing influence in achieving that goal. Conversely, the Axis player should of U.S. industrial might. attempt to keep the Allied Hand Size as low as possible so it cannot absorb all possible card enhancements. This can be • The Axis player chooses and adds one of the following Events accomplished by offensive actions on the map to seize Allied back to the relevant Event Deck/Array: Production Centers as well as by winning conflicts to enable • Wolfpack (only if all three are out of play) Events such as Wolfpack and V-Rockets being played. • V-Rockets • Synthetic Fuel 5.5 End of Year • Swedish Trade Whenever Reshuffles have caused both players’ Year Track markers to have moved forward into the same Year Track box Reminder: If Operation Barbarossa has not been launched (2.6.2), the current year of play ends. (6.7.2) by the time the Axis player executes the first Reshuffle of the 1941 game then it may no longer be executed. If the markers move into the End of 1945 box, the game ends

immediately. See 9.0 Victory. 5.4.3 Allied Reshuffle Effects Whenever the Allied player Reshuffles, if any of eitherConvoy 5.5.1 Year End Bonus Events or Strategic Bombing Event cards are out of play through use, Design Note: To prepare for the next year’s campaigns, both the Allied player chooses one of these Events and adds it back the Axis and Allies would make special preparations. Hitler’s to the appropriate Event Deck/Array (4.2.4). Reich reflects this through the Year End Bonus Events. Reminder: If the Allied player Reshuffle causes the Allied At each Year End, resolve the Year End Bonus Events procedure Turn Record Track marker to go to the End of 1943 box on as follows: the Year Track (2.6.2); see 5.4.4 for the rules regarding a • Each player temporarily organizes all of his own available special reorganization of the Allied player’s deck. Returnable ( ) and Reusable ( ) Events—and only these—into a single deck. 5.4.4 Allied 1943 Reshuffle Effects The Allied reshuffle which triggers advancement of the Allied Note: For the Allied player, this includes Enigma. marker to the End of 1943 box is unique in that the Allied player • Each player randomly selects two Events from this deck. does the following: These Events become part of the player’s held Event cards • The Allied player may examine all available Conflict cards in and are immediately available for use. the about to be shuffled deck (in other words, all the Conflict • As of the end of 1942 onward, on the Allied player receives cards not in the player’s Hand). three random Events in this manner. The Axis player • The Allied player may add into his Hand, subject to that continues to receive two. Hand’s Conflict card limit, any available Lieutenant General, • You may temporarily exceed the usual limit of six Event cards Field Marshal (General of the Army), Supreme Commander, in your possession (4.2.2) through receipt of these Year End and Saboteur cards. Bonus Events. • For each Conflict card added to the Allied player’s Hand, one Conflict card must be discarded. • If not already in the Allied player’s possession, the 6.0 Actions appropriate marker is placed to indicate an Allied Big Push marker is available. There are the following seven Actions (6.1-6.7) in Hitler’s Reich. • The Allied player shuffles the Allied Conflict card deck and play resumes. 6.1 Reorganize The Reorganize Action is a way for a player to try and improve Design Note: This special once-per-game Allied card proce- the value (strength) of his Conflict card Hand.It may only take dure will seed the Hand for 1944 and create a Conflict card place once per year. situation similar to what the Axis enjoyed during 1941. This reflects the extraordinary logistical build-up which enabled To Reorganize, either… attempting Operation Overlord and, for the Soviets, Operation • decrease your Hand Size by one, discard at least two or Bagration. It can also help the Allies in the Introductory Game up all of your Conflict cards, and draw new Conflict cards II: 1941-1943 if the Allies get to the End of 1943 Box first. corresponding to your new Hand Size, or The free Big Push marker and Conflict card “power seeding” • increase the opponent’s Hand Size by one, discard at least can be a powerful aid to achieving Allied victory.” one or up all of your Conflict cards, and draw new Conflict

cards corresponding to your Hand Size. This option is not star side down. Turn the marker star-side up at the beginning available if your opponent’s Hand Size is at the maximum of your next turn to indicate the Big Push is available for use. of 12. • You may use the Conflict card Special Properties –to reroll– 6.1.1 Reorganize Conclusion if the discarded card is a Lieutenant-General, Field Marshal (General of the Army), or Supreme Commander (4.1.3). After you complete a Reorganize Action, your player turn ends. You are not allowed to take further actions after a Reorganize Finally, refill your Conflict card Hand up to your Hand Size. Action. Flip your Turn marker (2.6.2) so that its star side is not You cannot Reinforce by attempting to acquire a Big Push visible to show your Reorganize Action for the year has been marker if you already have a Big Push marker. taken. Design Note: During 1941, an Axis Big Push marker repre- Play Note: The use of Reorganize Actions will affect the time sents the possibility of launching Operation Barbarossa or a limit of the game since that is based on each player’s Conflict subsequent major operation. During 1943 and 1944, an Allied card Reshuffles (5.4). That’s the two-edged sword nature of Big Push marker represents the possibility of launching a this Action. If you try to improve the quality of your Hand, major offensive, or as of 1944, the Overlord and the Bagration you may cut into the amount of time available to employ that Operations (6.7.3, 6.7.4). newly found strength. This is particularly so for the Allies late in the game. Example: If you discard a Supreme Commander, you need a final dice total of 12 or less to obtain the Big Push marker. Also keep 6.2 Fortify in mind this Conflict card’s reroll ability (4.1.3). The Fortify Action is a way for a player to put a Fortification 6.3.3 Reinforce Conclusion marker (3.3) in a Land Area to make it tougher to conquer. You After you complete a Reinforce Action, your player turn ends. may never have more than one Fortification marker per Land You are not allowed to take further actions after a Reinforce Area. Action. To Fortify, discard a Conflict card, then put a Fortification in any Play Note: Since your opponent does not play a card to coun- one Land Area you Control and refill your Conflict card Hand ter the one used for a Fortify or Fleet Reinforce Action, you up to your Hand Size. probably want to use your lowest value card. Attempting to 6.2.1 Fortify Conclusion gain a Big Push marker is another matter since you want to After you complete a Fortify Action, your player turn ends. You roll less than the card’s value. are not allowed to take further actions after a Fortify Action. Since play of a Fortify or Reinforce Action ends your turn, it is tactically better to take such an Action as a Bonus Action 6.3 Reinforce (7.9). Of course, this presumes you win your first Action. The Reinforce Action is a way for the player either to… • …reinforce a Sea Zone with a Fleet, or 6.4 Event Action • …attempt to acquire a Big Push marker. The Event Action is a way for the player to try to acquire a Re- turnable ( ) or Reusable ( ) Event or to trigger the effects 6.3.1 Reinforce a Sea Zone with a Fleet of a Recyclable ( ) or Removable ( ) Event card (4.2). To Reinforce with a Fleet, discard a Conflict card, put a Fleet There is a compendium of Events in the the BOT Solitaire Game marker in any Sea Zone, and refill your Conflict card Hand up Player Aid (PAC # 2). to your Hand Size. To acquire or trigger an Event, select an Eligible Event from You may never place more than one Fleet per side per Sea Zone. a Deck/Array and, then use the Conflict Resolution Procedure (7.0) to resolve the Event Action. Note: Fleets do not determine Control of a Sea Zone; they are only used when you or your opponent declares an Attack to 6.4.1 Eligible Events take Control of that Sea Zone, increase the defense of a Sea If you are the Allied player, the Eligible Events are those labeled Zone if it is Attacked, or to gain an advantage in an Amphibi- as Allied Only as well as those labeled Allied or Axis Events. If ous Attack (6.5.1). you are the Axis player, the Eligible Events are those labeled as Axis Only as well as Allied or Axis Events. (See 4.2) 6.3.2 Reinforce by Attempting to Acquire a Big Push Marker 6.4.2 Event Action Conclusion To attempt to acquire a Big Push marker (6.6), discard a Conflict After you complete an Event Action, and if you do not win the card, then roll 3d6: Event, your player turn ends and you are not allowed to take fur- • If the dice total is less than the value of the discarded Conflict ther Actions. Possible Exception: Big Push Event Action (6.6). card you gain a Big Push marker, otherwise you fail. Indicate If you win an Event, treat it according to its type (4.2.5): success by placing your side’s marker in the appropriate Big Push Available box (2.6.3). When earned, place the marker

• Reusable ( ) and Returnable ( ) Events immediately 6.5.1.1 Attacking Neutrals become part of your held Event cards (subject to the Holding You may never declare an Attack on a Neutral Land Area (2.1). Limit, 4.2.2) Exception: The Allied player may Attack Vichy (8.5). • Removable ( ) and Recyclable ( ) Events must be played 6.5.2 Attack Conclusion and their effects triggered immediately. If you lose an Attack your player turn ends and you are not al- • Exception: If the targeted Event was AIR SUPREMACY, the lowed to take further Actions. Possible Exception: A failed Big player who won the Event Action—regardless of who was the Push Attack Action (6.6). Active or non-Active player (7.1.1)—may hold that Event If, in the first Action of your player turn, you win an Attack on card for future use. Land or Sea, this entitles you to a Bonus Action or Actions (7.9). If you win an Event as your first Action in your Game Turn, you may take a Bonus Action (7.9). 6.5.2.1 Losing and Winning Attacks The winner and the loser in an Attack is established by the Deter- 6.5 Attack Action mine the Winner step of the Conflict Resolution Procedure (7.7). The Attack Action (or Attack) is a way for a player to take Attacks may lead to adjustments of Control, Fleet and Fortifi- Control of a Land Area or Sea Zone and possibly reduce the cation markers, Events cards, or Hand Size. The adjustments opponent’s Hand Size (4.1.4) if a Production Center or a Capital detailed below are made in the Cleanup (7.8) step of the Conflict is conquered (6.5.2.1). Resolution Procedure (7.0). All Attacks are resolved using the Conflict Resolution Proce- Effects on Played Events: dure (7.0). • If you win an Attack against a Land Area or a Sea Zone, 6.5.1 Types of Attack whether as attacker or defender, you may keep any Reusable There are four types of Attacks: Events ( ) that you played but flip each over to its inverted side (4.2.5.1). These Events can be used again after the next 1. Attacking a Land Area. You can declare an Attack on one Preparation Phase of your turn (5.2). Exception: Blitzkrieg Land Area that is adjacent to a Land Area under your Control. (7.9.2). 2. Paratroop Attack on Land. The Paratroops Event card • Give all Returnable Events ( ) that you played, whether enables a Paratroop Attack. In a Paratroop Attack there may as attacker or defender, to your opponent face-down to set be one intervening Area or Sea Zone between the target aside (4.2.5.2). Unless an Allied or Axis (AXEC) card won of your Attack and a Land Area under your Control. The by your opponent on his turn, these Events, your own and any intervening Area or Zone may be of any type. available AXEC cards, become available to you again during 3. Amphibious Attack on Land. The Axis Landing Craft and the next Preparation Phase of your opponent’s turn (5.2). the Allied Higgins Boats Events each enable an Amphibious • All other Events, played by you or your opponent, must Attack. You may declare an Amphibious Attack on one enemy be returned to the relevant Event Deck/Array. Exception: Controlled Land Area or Island that is adjacent to, or within, The Enigma Event, which the Allied player may retain if a Sea Zone under your Undisputed Control (2.4). victorious and with a successful die roll. Design Note: Historically, the Western Allies could launch an Amphibious Attack from considerable distances, as Effects on Markers: done for 1942’s Operation Torch invasion of North Africa • Remove all Fleets—friendly and enemy—and the loser’s which saw assault troops arrive from the continental United Fortification from the Area or Zone of Attack. (Think of the States. This also provides a means to possibly amphibiously winner’s lost Fleet as the cost of using the Bonus Die, 7.4.1.) regain an Axis-conquered London, Scotland, or Ireland. • Sea Zone Control Marker: If a Sea Zone did not have a Control marker; place the winner’s Control marker upon it, 4. Attacking a Sea Zone. You can declare an Attack on one or replace the loser’s Control marker with a Control marker Uncontrolled or enemy Controlled Sea Zone anywhere on of the winner. the map. You do not need to have an adjacent Area or Zone under your Control. You can also declare an Attack on a Sea • Land Area Control Marker: Replace the loser’s Control Zone you Control, anywhere on the map, if there is an enemy marker with that of the Winner, or, if the Area in question Fleet there. Again, you do not need to have an adjacent Area has a map printed Control symbol of the winner, place no or Zone under your Control. marker after removing that of the loser. Play Note: You may find it convenient to indicate where a Effects on Hand Size: Land or Sea Attack is to take place by indicating the Area/Zone • When the player loses Control of a Production Center (2.5), with the game’s white cylinder. Place the cylinder star-side that player must discard a specified number of Conflict cards up if either player is gaining an extra die bonus. (see below), and adjust the related Hand Size marker on the

Hand Size Track (2.6.1) by the same number to indicate the 6.5.3.1 Allied Control Markers in Attacks reduction: If, as the Allied player, you launch a Land Attack, you must first ◦ 3 for losing Control of Berlin declare from which adjacent Zone or Area in your Control the ◦ 2 for losing Control of London Attack is being launched. ◦ 2 for losing Control of Moscow • If you win and you must place a Control marker in the ◦ 1 in all other cases conquered Zone or Area, it must match the Control Symbol of the Zone or Area from which the Attack was launched. ◦ Paris and Rome are special cases (see 8.0) • If that is not the case and you win, and there is an Allied • If Berlin is lost, the Axis player must randomly discard three Control Symbol printed on the map, you do not place a Conflict cards from the Axis hand. Control marker. (In other words, it reverts to Western Allied • Otherwise, any Conflict card or cards of the player’s choice or Soviet Control as it was at the start of the 1941 game.) The may be discarded. Exception: If the Allied player loses same applies if the Axis recaptures one of their Land Areas control of any Soviet Production Center, discard a Soviet Red with a printed Control symbol. Star ( ) or Double Agent card for each Oil Drum symbol • An Attack on a Sea Zone is different. There is no requirement lost (e.g., two cards for Moscow) if you can. You must make to make it from an adjacent Land or Sea Area (6.5.1, #4). If up any shortfall with a Western Allied card ( ). the Allied player wins Control of a Sea Zone, and there is • If a player wins back the Control of one of that player’s own no adjacent Western Allied or Soviet Controlled Area from Production Centers (2.5), reverse the process above: adjust which an Attack could have been launched, you must place the Hand Size to indicate the increase and draw new Conflict a Western Allied Control marker. cards up to the new Hand Size. Example: Egypt has a Western Allied Control Symbol printed Play Note: If you are the Allied player and you lose Control on the map. If the Allied player launches an Attack from Egypt of a Soviet Production Center such as Kharkov, you must on Libya and succeeds, the player puts a Western Allied Control immediately discard a Soviet Red Star card (if available) and marker on Libya. move the marker on the Hand Size Track to reduce the Allied Example: Caucasus has an Axis Control marker. If the Allied Hand Size by one. Therefore, an astute Allied player will not player launches an Attack on the Caucasus from Western Al- let that one forced discard be a powerful Conflict card such as lied Controlled Iran and succeeds, the player removes the Axis the Red Star Field Marshal or Supreme Commander. Better to Control marker, but does not put another Control marker there. use such a card to defend the Soviet Production Center itself! The Caucasus reverts to Soviet Control as shown by the Control Having a low valued Conflict card ready for a possible forced Symbol printed on the map. discard is a wise precaution. 6.5.3.2 Event Use in Attacks Play Note: Due to the card discard penalty, a player should When defending in or launching an Attack from a Zone or Area be wary when their Hand Size is at four or less since loss of under Soviet Control, the Allied player may only use Events one or more Production Centers, or reduction of Hand Size by marked with the symbol. Event (Wolfpack or Strategic Bombing, for example) could When defending in or launching an Attack from a Zone or Area result in the opponent’s Sudden Death card Victory. Obtaining under Soviet Control, the Allied player may not use any Events Events which increase the Hand Size (War Production, Syn- marked only with the symbol. thetic Fuel or Convoy, for example) provide a cushion for absorbing such losses and are a kind of insurance against this. Conversely, when defending in or launching an Attack from a Zone or Area under Western Allied Control, the Allied player may not use any of the Allied Events marked only with the Note: With the exception of Paris, you never gain cards by symbol. taking Control of any of your opponent’s Production Centers. Example: The Partisans & Artillery Event is marked with Paris is the only Production Center on the map that increases both and symbols. It can be used without restrictions. or decreases the Hand Size of both the Axis and the Allies. Generals, such as Patton (marked with ), are marked with See the Playbook (16.2) for an expanded description of Paris’ one or the other symbol and their use is restricted accordingly. Hand Size effects. 6.5.3 Divided Allies in Attacks 6.5.3.3 Multiple Events in Attacks When you are to play an Event during the course of the Conflict Design Note: Although united against a common foe, the Resolution Procedure (7.2), you may play more than one Event Allies did not always work together. This manifestation is if you want to do so. represented by the differences among Allied Control markers: between Western Allied and Soviet markers, as well as Exceptions: by the design’s limitations on the use of Conflict card suits • Each player may only use one General in an Attack or and Events. defense. The Allied Events Chuikov, Montgomery, Patton, and Zhukov and the Axis Events Guderian, Rommel, Von Manstein, and Von Rundstedt are Generals. © 2018 GMT Games, LLC Hitler’s Reich ~ Rules of Play 13

• You may not combine Events that result in play of more than Example: The Allied player starts the turn with a Big Push two Conflict cards. For example, the Allied player may not marker. The first Action of the turn is an Event Action to gain combine Our Finest Hour with Maximum Effort. Similarly, Convoy. (The Allies card Hand Size is getting dangerously low). the Axis player may not combine Maximum Effort with The Allied player wins the first Event Action against the Axis. Desperate Gamble. For the second Big Push Action, the Allied player tries to gain 6.5.3.4 Conflict Suit Card Use in Attacks another Convoy Event. This Action fails. However, since the first When defending in or launching an Attack upon a Zone or Area Big Push Action succeeded, the Allied player has earned a Bonus under Soviet Control or Zone or Area that will, after a successful Action. The Allied player takes another Event Table Action as Attack, be under Soviet Control, the Allied player must play a the Success Bonus and gains another Convoy. Double Agent or a Soviet Conflict cardif the player has such a It is possible, with the right Events available and some luck, to card. Otherwise, any Conflict card may be played. increase your Conflict card Hand Size by three. This could make the difference between defeat and keeping the game going. Note: The other exceptions to this “Red Star Only” rule are Their Finest Hour or Maximum Effort for those Events’ 6.7 Special Historical Operations second Conflict card chosen from the deck and Murmansk Run. There are three historical Operation Actions in Hitler’s Reich: Barbarossa (6.7.2) by the Axis player only, Overlord (6.7.3) and Bagration (6.7.4) by the Allied player only. Each happens 6.6 Big Push according to its own particular procedure, detailed below. The Big Push Action is a way for a player take either two Event Actions (6.4) or two Attack Each Operation may be launched only once during a game. Actions (6.5) in one game turn. However, a Big 6.7.1 Operation Prerequisites Push is only one Action, and therefore only generates a maxi- The player undertaking an Operation must have a marker in the mum of one Success Bonus Action (7.9) and one Blitzkrieg Allied or Axis Big Push Available box (2.6.3) acquired from Bonus Action (7.9.2). a successful Reinforce Action during an earlier game turn or Play Note: Normally, failure of a first Action ends that automatically awarded at the beginning of a game or through player’s turn, but with a “Big Push” the turn continues. When the Allied 1943 Reshuffle (5.4.4). timed right, this can be a powerful weapon in a player’s Hit- In addition, Barbarossa (6.7.2) may only be conducted before ler’s Reich game arsenal. the first 1941 Axis Reshuffle (5.4) has occurred. 6.6.1 Big Push Prerequisites For Overlord and Bagration: To take a Big Push Action… • They may not be executed before 1944 (that is, when both the • You must have a marker in the Allied or Axis Big Push Axis and Allied Year Track markers are in the End of 1943 Available box (2.6.3) acquired from a successful Reinforce box). Action during an earlier game turn. • The Allied player must possess the Higgins Boats Event card • The Axis player may decide to not take the Operation and his Big Push marker in its Allied Big Push Available box. Barbarossa (6.7.2) option and use its marker for a Big Push • If the Allied player launches Overlord and Bagration, the instead, which may be used or saved for a later turn. player must do them in that order: Overlord first, and then Bagration, and both Overlord and Bagration must be done. A Big Push may not involve a Paratroop or an Reminder: • The Allies must have Undisputed (2.4) Control of the Channel Amphibious Attack (6.5.1). Operation Overlord (6.7.3) is the or Bay of Biscay Sea Zones. sole exception to this as it does involve an Amphibious Attack.

Reminder: From 1944 onwards, once the Allied player has 6.6.2 Big Push Event Action Undisputed Control of each of these Sea Zones, the Axis To use the Big Push Action to take two Event Actions, first player may not Attack or place a Fleet there. For example, conduct the two back-to-back Event Actions. Then resolve the if the Allied player Controlled the Channel, but not the Bay Bonus Action (7.9) you might have earned during either of the of Biscay, the Axis player could not Attack or Reinforce Event Actions. If both Event Actions fail, there is no Bonus with a Fleet in the Channel, but would not be so restricted Action. in the Bay of Biscay, until it too became under Undisputed Allied Control. 6.6.3 Big Push Attack Action To use the Big Push Action to take two Attack Actions, first Design Note: By 1944, Allied air and naval superiority was conduct the first Attack (6.5). Then resolve all Bonus Actions so overwhelming that the Axis was hard-pressed to maintain (7.9) you might be entitled following the first Attack (including a presence, let alone challenge, Allied domination of the seas waiving or postponing a Bonus Action where relevant) until in the West. after the second Attack is resolved). Then conduct the second Attack and any relevant Bonus Actions. If both Attack Actions fail, there is no Bonus Action. © 2018 GMT Games, LLC 14 Hitler’s Reich ~ Rules of Play

6.7.2 Operation Barbarossa • After the second Blitzkrieg Attack, whether it is successful Barbarossa is a way for the Axis player to execute multiple At- or not, automatically place an Allied Control marker in Vichy tack Actions against the Soviet Union in one game turn. France. If not yet in Allied Control, place Allied Control markers in all Vichy Land Areas (e.g., Algeria) as well as Design Note: Barbarossa represents the tremendous concen- the Strait and Western Med Sea Zones. tration of military power the Axis amassed for the invasion of Soviet Russia. See the Playbook Section 16.3 for an example Design Note: This represents the historical operation Anvil/Dragoon. of its play. To launch Operation Barbarossa, the Axis player removes • The Bonus Action gained must be used solely to conduct the marker from the Big Push Available box (2.6.3), and then Operation Bagration (6.7.4). sequentially conducts one Attack Action (6.5) each on the fol- If the Amphibious Attack fails, operation Anvil/Dragoon does lowing four Soviet Land Areas: the Baltics, Bessarabia, Crimea, not take place, but Operation Bagration still proceeds. and Minsk. 6.7.4 Operation Bagration The Attacks may occur in any order chosen by the Axis player. However, except for Production Center capture, any Axis player Design Note: A pivotal moment of the Second World War’s Bonus Action (7.9) must be taken only after all four Attacks have European Theater was the historically unprecedented am- been completed. To indicate this, place the gold color hexagon phibious return of the Western Allies to the European Con- piece star side down in the Bonus Action Earned rectangle when tinent by the massive Operation Overlord invasion forever it becomes available. Turn it star side up after the fourth Attack memorialized as D-Day. Equally significant was Operation concludes. That Bonus Action may be taken in any manner the Bagration—the Soviet 1944 Belorussian Strategic Offensive Axis player desires subject to normal game rules (e.g., take an that drove out Axis forces from there and most Soviet Land Event Action, Reinforce Action, etc.). Areas formerly under Axis Control, while almost completely Operation Barbarossa’s Blitzkrieg Attack, if won and desired, destroying an entire German army group. These operations may be made after any of the four successful Land Attacks or can form a key part of your Hitler’s Reich gaming experience after the Barbarossa Turn’s Bonus Action. Blitzkrieg Attack(s) whether playing the Axis or Allies. may only be made against Soviet-Controlled Land Area(s). To take Operation Bagration, the Allied player may make up to Barbarossa may not involve a Paratroop or Amphibious Attack four Attacks each from Soviet Controlled Land Areas into Axis (6.5.1) in any part of the Operation. Controlled Land Areas. The four are guaranteed, regardless of any failures of these Attacks as per the Big Push rules (6.6). Play Note: When executing Operation Barbarossa, the Axis player should carefully consider the sequence of their Attacks As needed, use the game’s four gray cubes to indicate the in an almost Chess-like manner being fully aware of how Attacks. the Big Push rules will protect against unanticipated failure. These Attacks do not have to be committed to in advance. The This approach, plus not waiting too long into the turn which same Area may be Attacked more than once. denies the Axis perhaps too many high value Conflict cards Reminder: Berlin may not be Attacked. from a depleted Deck, should provide an environment for optimal success. No Blitzkrieg Bonus Action Attacks (7.9.2) are allowed. How- 6.7.3 Operation Overlord ever, any Events used for a successful Attack may be used for To take Operation Overlord, the Allied player removes the the next Attack as if a Blitzkrieg was being conducted, and could marker from the Big Push Available box (2.6.3), automatically theoretically participate in all four Attacks. receives the maximum effort Event for immediate use (even if it 6.7.4.1 Events and Conflict Cards in Overlord & is in Axis possession), and then conducts one Amphibious Attack Bagration Action (6.5.1) on one of the following three Land Areas adjacent If the Allied player loses any of the Conflict Resolutions (7.0) dur- to the Channel: Normandy, Calais, Holland-Belgium, or, if Bay ing Overlord or Bagration, flip over used Reusable Events ( ) of Biscay is Allied Controlled, any Land Area adjacent to it. but do not return them to the appropriate Deck/Array (4.2.4). If the Amphibious Attack succeeds: Instead, these Events are available to the Allied player at the • the Allied player may make up to two Blitzkrieg Bonus start of the next game turn. Attacks (7.9.2). These are in lieu of the usual Blitzkrieg If the Axis player loses any of the Conflict Resolutions dur- Attack(s) a player may make during a turn. A second is ing Overlord or Bagration, flip over only one half (rounded permitted even if the first fails. A failure to win the Bonus down—Axis player’s choice) of used Reusable Events ( ). Action from capturing a Production Center does not end Those flipped over do not return to the Axis Deck/Array. They the Allied turn. Each Blitzkrieg does not reduce the Allied are available to the Axis player at the start of the next Axis Conflict card Hand Size (as it usually does). game turn. Those not flipped over are returned to the appropri- Reminder: Berlin may not be a target of an Overlord ate Events Deck/Array. Blitzkrieg Attack.

Reminder, Conflict card deck reconstitution: When Over- 7.0 Conflict Resolution Procedure lord and Bagration are finished, each player takes his Conflict card discard pile and combines it with his Conflict card deck 7.1 General to constitute a new deck. This special shuffle has no effect on the Year Track or Hand Size (4.1.4). The Conflict Resolution procedure below is used to resolve Event Actions (6.4) and Attack Actions (6.5). Design Note: The Allied player, as SHAEF’s Eisenhower 7.1.1 Active and Non-Active Players realized during the historical event, is relying on a single The player initiating the Attack or Event Action is the Active massive throw of the dice with Operation Overlord. Hitler’s player. The opponent is the non-Active player. At each step Reich designer Mark McLaughlin, who teaches a seminar on below, the Active player must go before the non-Active player D-Day observed: It was an all or nothing Operation Overlord. except where indicated. Had D-Day failed, it would have taken months to reorganize for a second cross Channel invasion. In terms of the game, 7.1.2 Procedure Overview there is no Operation Overlord second chance. In a Conflict Resolution, complete the following steps in order: Consequently, it behooves an astute Allied player to amass Step Rule as large a Hand of “killer” Events as possible in preparation 1. Play Event or Events 7.2 for the Operation Overlord Amphibious Attack. In addition to Higgins Boats, such a collection of six Event cards could 2. Play Conflict cards 7.3 include T-34’S & Shermans, Patton, Air Supremacy (or 3. Roll Conflict and Bonus Dice 7.4 Reserves), Artillery & Partisans (or Counterattack). The 4. Resolve Event and Marker Effects 7.5 goal is to roll five Attack dice and be able to play two cards 5. Resolve Conflict Card Special Properties 7.6 through use of the Maximum Effort event, one of them a chosen Field Marshal (General of the Army) 12 or Supreme 6. Determine Winner 7.7 Commander 13 with its dice rerolls, to resolve the Operation 7. Cleanup 7.8 Overlord Amphibious Attack. 8. Bonus Action or Actions 7.9 Conversely, an able Axis player will seek preparing for Op- eration Overlord by placing Fortification markers and having 7.2 Play Events powerful Events such as Von Rundstedt, Waffen SS, and Both players, the Active player first, may play any number of Desperate Gamble available to confront this Allied D-Day Eligible Events (6.4.1), placing them face up on the table. For onslaught. Also, keep in mind that the Allies automatically dramatic effect this could also be near the short white cylinder get the Maximum Effort Event when declaring Operation used to designate the upcoming Sea Zone or Land Area Conflict Overlord, even if it is in Axis possession! site or whatever helps the players to better get into the spirit of the game. That is the “meet them on the beaches” approach favored by Gen. Rommel. An alternate Axis defense could be to hoard Note: You must always play a Fleet or Fortification marker resources for a counter-attack to drive the Western Allies back in the Land Area or Sea Zone which is the target of a Conflict into the sea or to stem the Soviet advance. Which strategy when calculating a Conflict’s dice roll results. Neither may be to adopt is one of the fascinating gaming “puzzles” Hitler’s withheld to prevent its possible loss. When selecting Event Reich offers its players. cards, you do not need to play a Reusable ( ) or Returnable There is no regular Blitzkrieg Bonus for the turn Overlord ( ) Event unless you wish to. is launched. However, the Soviet Red Army’s four Attack Operation Bagration, made in proximate time with Operation 7.3 Play Conflict Cards Overlord, historically swept the Axis from most territory it Both players must play one Conflict card, face down, on the still retained in Russia. table. Both players then simultaneously reveal their cards. Ex- The special treatment of Operation Overlord & Bagration’s ception: If a player is required by Enigma or Master Spy Event Conflict cards, both Allied and Axis, which fully reconsti- to reveal a Conflict card first, or have it selected at random, the tute both Conflict card decks, is to preserve the game’s pace player must do so, and thereafter the other player selects and through card expenditure. Without that rule, the usual card plays a Conflict card. process would result in the game reaching 1945 quicker than In general, you may select any Conflict card from your Hand. the design intends. Exception: Divided Allies (6.5.3).

7.4 Roll Conflict and Bonus Dice There are the following Effect types: Each player collects and rolls three Conflict dice and up to two Effect Type Summary Bonus dice from the Event cards played (7.2) and the Bonuses (7.4.1) each player may be entitled to. Fortification If you are defending in an Attack against a Bonus Land Area, and have a Fortification marker You may roll a maximum number of five dice. Ignore any excess. there, you may use it to change the number 7.4.1 Bonus Dice showing on any one of your dice. There are the following four types of Bonus Dice available: • If the Land Area has a Production Center, change it to a 5. Bonus Type Summary • If there is no Production Center, change Events Bonus Some Event cards (4.2) afford a Bonus Die. it to a 4. At Sea Fleet Effect If you are the attacker in an Amphibious Sea Zone When a Sea Zone is Attacked, either player Attack, and have a Fleet in the Sea Zone Bonus gains a Bonus Die if the player is the only from which the Amphibious Attack is being player Controlling one or more Land Areas made, you may now Reroll one die. The adjacent to or inside that Sea Zone. Fleet Marker is not removed from the map for using this Amphibious Attack capability. If each player Controls at least one Land Area inside or adjacent to that Sea Zone, neither Only the attacking player may receive this gains that Bonus Die. reroll. Fleet When a Sea Zone is Attacked, the player Note: You may also use the Allied Fleet Bonus with a Fleet in the Zone gains a Bonus Die. Carriers Event in an Amphibious Attack. If combined with using a Fleet, it gives you If both players have a Fleet present, each two rerolls.On Land gains a Bonus Die. See 7.5 for a Fleet’s Amphibious Attack effect. Events Effect Some Event cards (4.2) enable the player to Reroll some of their own or the opponent’s On Land dice. Land Area When a Land Area is Attacked, each player Example: The Axis Only Event Rommel Bonus totals the number of Land Areas and Sea affords the option of rerolling a die of the Zones the player Controls which are adjacent player’s choice. to the target area. Do not count the target Land Area itself. 7.6 Card Special Property Effects If the attacker’s total of Land and Sea Areas is higher, the attacker gains a Bonus Die. Both players, Active player first, apply any Effects from the In all other cases, neither player receives a Special Properties (4.1.3) of the Conflict card or cards they Bonus Die. have played. Capital An Axis player defending Berlin, or an Al- Exception: If either player plays a Double Agent card… Defense lied player defending Moscow or London, • If only one player plays a Double Agent Bonus automatically gains a Bonus Die. card, that player goes first, followed by the opponent for rolling Conflict dice. 7.5 Event and Marker Effects • If both players play a Double Agent Both players, Active player first, apply any Effects from played card: first, the Active player resolves Events (4.2) as well as from any present Fleet and Fortification the Double Agent, followed by the non- markers (3.2, 3.3). Active player’s Double Agent. Then, the Active player resolves any remaining The players may decide the order in which they apply the Event card Special Properties, followed by and marker Effects they are entitled to. When applying the Ef- the non-Active player. This would fects, no single die may be Rerolled more than once. occur if two Conflict cards were played through use of an Event such as Maximum Effort. Remember, the Double Agent may only affect a single enemy Conflict card. The players may decide the order in which they apply the Effects they are entitled to. However, • You must declare how many and which of the dice you will reroll before doing so.

• You may not change your mind about how many or which 7.9 Bonus Action or Actions dice to reroll. There are the following, cumulative (7.9.1), Bonus Actions • You must keep the rerolled die result. available: When applying the Effects, no single die may be Rerolled more Step Summary than once. Success Bonus If, in the first Action of your player turn, Note: Special Properties dice rerolling is in addition to any you win an Attack (Land or Sea) or Event rerolling done during other steps of the Conflict Resolution Action, you may choose a Success Bonus Procedure. A die rerolled due to an Events Effect (7.5) may Action. Use the gold hexagonal token to be rerolled again due to a Conflict card’s Special Property. indicate earning a Success Bonus by plac- Example: If you play a Supreme Commander, you are not allowed ing it, starred side up, in the upper left hand to reroll one die, learn the result, and then choose to reroll one map corner’s “Bonus Action Earned” or two more dice. rectangle. This may be any one of the following Ac- Note: Some Events allow the play of two Conflict cards. If tions: both are bonus cards, both retain their Special Power. So, if • Reorganize (6.1) you luckily get to play two Lieutenant-Generals, you may • Fortify (6.2) reroll two dice (one for each). However, you may not use the • Reinforce (6.3) Special Abilities of two bonus cards to reroll any die more • Event Action (6.4) than once. • Attack (6.5) Therefore, if you rolled five dice and played two Supreme Commanders: one by choice, and the other randomly selected Production If, in any Attack of your player turn, you (per Maximum Effort, Their Finest Hour, or Desperate Center Bonus take Control of a Land Area or Sea Zone Gamble Events), you may only reroll each of those five dice that is also a Production Center, you may once; you lose one of the six rerolls. take a Production Center Bonus. This is always an 7.7 Determining the Winner • Event Action (6.4) To determine the winner, each player adds together the value of Note: The number of Production Symbols each respective Conflict card or cards played (7.3) and the dice printed on the map have no bearing on the rolled –after all Effects (7.5, 7.6) have been applied. number of Bonus Actions: e.g., Moscow with two Symbols only generates a single • The player with the higher total wins the Action. Production Center Bonus when captured • In case of a tie, the player who played a card of the higher or recaptured. ranked Suit wins (4.1.2). Blitzkrieg If, in any Attack of your player turn, you 7.8 Cleanup Bonus take Control of any Land Area, you may take a Blitzkrieg Bonus. Both players deal with the Conflict cards, Events, and other This is always an markers played, as well as any enforced discards and other con- sequences such as changes of Area/Zone Control. This process • Attack (6.5) is called the Cleanup. See 7.9.2 Blitzkrieg for more details. Do the Cleanup in the following order: 7.9.1 Multiple Bonus Actions Step Summary Depending on the circumstances, it is possible to earn a Produc- tion Center Bonus, a Success Bonus, and a Blitzkrieg Bonus Events • For Event Actions, see 6.4.2 Event Action all at once. Action Conclusion. • For Attacks, see 6.5.2 Attack You must take a Production Center Bonus at the instant it is Conclusion. available, or it is lost. It is not mandatory to take a Production Center Bonus. Control & • See 6.5.2 Attack Conclusion. Markers • Discard all Conflict cards (4.1) If you fail in any Bonus Action, you forfeit all other Bonus Ac- played in the Conflict Resolution tions earned and your turn ends. Exceptions: Big Push (6.6), Operation Barbarossa (6.7.2), Operation Overlord (6.7.3) and Conflict Cards • See 6.5.2 Attack Conclusion. Operation Bagration (6.7.4). & Hand Size

7.9.2 Blitzkrieg A Blitzkrieg is a special type of an Attack (6.5) that is only 8.0 Special Rules available as Bonus Action. 8.1 Geographical Limitations for the Allied If eligible for a Blitzkrieg, you may Attack a Land Area adjacent to the Land Area you just took Control of (and from that Area Fleet Carriers Event and Straits only). The Blitzkrieg is an Attack which you resolve according You may not use the Allied Fleet Carriers Event card: to the Conflict Resolution Procedure (7.0) with the following • In the Baltic Sea if Denmark or the changes: Skaggerak Sea Zone is under Axis • A series of Blitzkrieg Attacks may be up to three (3) Control. individual sequential Attacks. • In the Black Sea if Turkey is neutral • Every time you declare a Blitzkrieg, move your marker one or under Axis Control. space on the Hand Size Track (2.6.1) to indicate a reduction of • In any Sea Zone east of the Straits your Hand Size. Exceptions: Guderian (6.5.3.3), Operations (from the Western Med and Gulf of Overlord (6.7.3) and Bagration (6.7.4). Lyon to the Black Sea, inclusive) if • You may reuse any Reusable Events ( ) you just employed Gibraltar or the Straits is under Axis in a successful Blitzkrieg Attack. Control. • You may continue to use Reusable Events ( ) in subsequent • You may combine use of Allied Blitzkriegs that turn. You may also continue to use additional Fleet Carriers with an Allied Fleet in a single Sea Zone. Reusable Events which you play in subsequent Blitzkrieg However, the usual reroll and Bonus Dice rules apply. Attacks. If you do not reuse such an Event in a Blitzkrieg Attack, flip the card upside down; that stops you from using 8.2 Italy it in a subsequent Blitzkrieg during the same turn. Design Note: Italy was Germany’s most important partner • Just as in a regular Attack, you may not use more than one in the European theater. Shortly after the Allied landings in General in a Blitzkrieg. However, different Generals may be Sicily and the southern part of the country, Italy surrendered. used for individual Attacks in a single series of Blitzkrieg The following rules reflect this. Attacks. • You may announce a Blitzkrieg after a victorious Attack in 8.2.1 Naples, Sicily & Rome your first or second Success Bonus Action Attack during a Italy surrenders immediately when the Allied player Controls turn, but not both. Therefore, if you Blitzkrieg after your either Rome or both of Naples and Sicily. Place a yellow block first Attack, you may not Blitzkrieg again after your second in the Italy Surrenders Box to indicate this (2.6.3). In either Attack of that turn. case, do the following: • You must complete the Blitzkrieg, and any follow-on • If Naples and Sicily come under Allied Control: place Blitzkriegs, before attempting another Action other than in Rome the same Allied Control marker—Soviet or a Blitzkrieg. Exception: A Production Center Success Western Allied—as in Naples and Sicily. Remove any Axis Bonus does not halt possible further Blitzkriegs unless that Fortification marker in Rome. Production Center Bonus Conflict Resolution fails. • If Rome comes under Allied Control: place in Naples and • You may never Blitzkrieg from a Land Area captured by Sicily the same Allied Control markers—Soviet or Western a Paratroop or Amphibious Attack (6.5.1). Exception: Allied—as in Rome. Remove any Axis Fortification Operations Overlord’s Amhibious Attack (6.7.3). marker(s) in Naples and Sicily. • In either case, the Axis player must discard two random Play Note: Blitzkrieg is a potentially rewarding gamble since Conflict cards—one for losing Sicily and Naples, one for it allows the player to employ Reusable Events ( ) for losing Rome. Adjust the Axis marker on the Hand Size Track more than one Land Attack during a turn. However, it reduces to indicate the decrease. the player’s Hand Size (Exceptions: Guderian, Operations Overlord and Bagration). 8.2.2 Rome Changing Hands

If during the course of the game the Axis recaptures Rome, Play Note: To track the number of Blitzkriegs in a single turn, treat this as a regular recapture of a Production Center (6.5.2.1). use the game’s Yellow Blitzkrieg marker cubes for: Blitzkrieg However, the yellow block remains in the Italy Surrenders Box. #1, Blitzkrieg #2, and Blitzkrieg #3 (2.6.3). Sicily and Naples do not automatically return to Axis Control Play Note: Despite the risks, a series of consecutive successful (although one or both may be subsequently recaptured by the Blitzkriegs can be devastating to the enemy. For example, a Axis). The Axis Hand Size does not increase if the Axis reac- successful Axis Attack on Minsk could have its three suc- quires Control of Naples and Sicily. cessful consecutive Blitzkriegs culminate in the capture of Moscow via Kharkov and Belorussia.

8.3 Paris 8.5 Vichy Either player, by gaining or regaining Control of Paris, imme- Vichy means the five Areas of Algeria, Morocco, Syria/Levant, diately draws one Conflict card and adjusts that player’s marker Tunisia, and Vichy France (2.1). on the Hand Size Track to indicate an increase/decrease. At the start of the game, Vichy is Neutral and the Axis player Note: With the exception of Paris, you never gain Conflict may not Attack any of the Vichy Areas. However, the Allied cards to increase your Hand Size by taking Control of any of player may Attack any Vichy Areas. your opponent’s Production Centers. Paris is the only Produc- Vichy stays neutral until one of the following occurs: tion Center on the map that increases or decreases the Hand Size of both the Axis and the Allies. See Playbook Section The Allied Player… Effect 16.2 for an example. …first Attacks any Vichy In the Preparation Phase of the Area. Axis player turn after Vichy is 8.4 Malta Exception: If the Axis play- first Attacked, put Axis Control Malta may surrender to you in certain circumstances, if it is not er plays Iraq Revolt, the markers on all Vichy Areas that already under your Control. (So, if it is under Axis Control it Allied player may Attack are not under Allied Control. may surrender to the Allies, and the other way around.) Syria/Levant, and Syria/ Levant only, without effect In your Preparation Phase (5.2), if both of the following are on the neutrality of other true, Malta surrenders: Vichy Areas. • You Control the Sicilian Sea Zone • There is no enemy Fleet in the Sicilian Sea Zone. …plays Vichy Defects! Immediately put Western Al- If Malta surrenders, place an Axis Control marker on Malta (to lied Control markers in Algeria, record Axis Control) or remove the Axis Control marker (to Morocco, Strait, & Western record Allied Control). Med (if not already under Al- lied Control). In the next Axis Malta surrender is not an Action, and does not generate any turn’s Preparation Phase, put Bonus Action. Axis Control markers on Vi- Note: As a courtesy, if you take Control of the Sicilian Sea chy Controlled Tunisia, Vichy Zone, remind your opponent of this rule and put a Malta France, and Syria/Levant (un- Besieged Yellow Cube marker beside Malta. This gives less already Allied Controlled). your opponent a chance on the upcoming turn, to either take … for the first time Controls Put Western Allied Control Control of the Sea Zone back, or take an Action to place a Paris or launches a suc- markers in Vichy Areas that Fleet in the Zone. cessful Operation Overlord are not under Allied Control (6.7.3.). including the Sea Zones: Strait and Western Med. If the Axis regains Control of Paris, there is no effect on Allied Control of Vichy Areas.

8.5.1 Allied Attack on Neutral Vichy If the Allied player Attacks a Neutral Vichy Land Area, the Axis player may not play any Conflict cards or Events in Axis possession. Instead, the Axis player draws the top card from the Axis Conflict card deck to play as the Vichy defense. Any Special Properties of that card apply. During Conflict Resolution, the Axis player rolls three dice only (plus any Conflict Card Special Properties’ Rerolls).

8.6 Nazi-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact At capitulation, there is no Recapture opportunity (9.2). This is represented by placing a gray cube in the Nazi-Soviet Pact in Effect box in the map’s upper left hand corner (2.6.3). 9.4 Card Hand Size Surrender • Until the Axis player either announces Operation Barbarossa The player must surrender at the end of the turn if the opponent’s (6.7.2), or Reshuffles the Axis deck for the first time during Hand Size is 12 and the player’s Hand Size is 3 or less. The the game’s 1941 turn, neither player may do any of the opponent is declared the winner. following: 9.5 End of Game Time Limit Victory ◦ Try to win Turkey Declares War! If none of the preceding victories occur, the game is adjudicated ◦ Place a Fleet in or Attack any Sea Zone adjacent to the Soviet with a victor declared when 1945 concludes. Union. The Axis wins a Survival Victory, ◦ Attack any originally Axis Controlled Land Area or Sea • Axis Survival Victory. regardless of the players’ respective card Hand Sizes, by Zone adjacent to the Soviet Union (e.g., an Allied Attack on Controlling Berlin and at least two of the other five original Romania is forbidden). Axis Production Centers (Rome, Paris, Ruhr, Romania, ◦ As a reminder of Areas which may not be attacked while Austria). the Pact is in effect, players may optionally place red Soviet The Axis wins a Substantive Control markers upon each subject Area. • Axis Substantive Victory. Victory if the Axis has an equal or larger Hand Size to the Note: The Axis Big Push marker, if available, loses its special Allies, with Control of Berlin and two or more of the other Operation Barbarossa properties as of the Axis player’s first five original Axis Production Centers (Rome, Paris, Ruhr, 1941 reshuffle and becomes a regular Big Push marker. Romania, Austria). If the Hand Size criteria can’t be met, an Axis Survival Victory is awarded. • Allied Notional Victory. If the Axis fail to achieve a Substantive or Survival Victory, the Allied player is declared 9.0 Victory game winner through a Notional Victory. (Berlin gets the The game may come to an end in one of the following ways. dubious distinction of having the first warfare-dropped Atomic Bomb detonated above it.) 9.1 Sudden Death Conflict Card Victory If the player’s Hand Size becomes zero or less, the opponent is immediately declared the winner. 10.0 Scenarios 9.2 Fall of Berlin or London & Moscow There are two Scenarios in Hitler’s Reich: the Full Game 1941 If at the start of the Axis player’s turn, Berlin is in Allied Control, (10.2) and the Short Game 1944 (10.3). Both Scenarios use the the Axis player must Recapture Berlin by the end of that turn. regular Victory conditions (9.0). If the player fails to do so, the Allied player wins. In addition to the preceding, a simpler 1941 Introductory Game, Conversely, if at the start of the Allied player’s turn, London with two game length options as well as a Tournament Version, and Moscow are both in Axis Control, the Allied player must is offered (10.4). recapture at least one of them by the end of that turn. If the All Scenarios, except the 1944 Scenario (10.3), use the same player fails to do so, the Axis player wins. general Set-Up (10.1) as the Full Game. Note: With careful card hand planning, it is possible for the Note: The Playbook contains further options for customizing game to end and a player deprived of their opportunity to your gaming experience, including two ways of playing the counterattack to retake a Capital. For example, it is 1945, and game solitaire and with multiple players. the Allies capture Berlin with their final card play to move their Year Track marker into the End of 1945 box which is 10.1 General Pre-Game Set-Up already occupied by the Axis Turn marker. 10.1.1 Map, Markers, and Dice 9.3 Capitulation • Lay out the map between the players. • Put all Control markers, Fortification markers, and Fleets in If at any time… separate piles easily accessible to the players. • …the Axis Controls all six original Soviet Production Centers • Place the Event cards and Player Aid Sheets to the side of or all six original Western Allied Production Centers, the the map. Place Event cards in three separate Deck/Arrays: Allied player must capitulate and the game ends in an Axis Axis Only, Allied Only, and Axis or Allied (4.2.4). Victory, or • Give each player five dice. • …the Allied player Controls all six original Axis Production Centers, the Axis player must capitulate and the game ends • Sort the Conflict cards into two decks: 26 Allied (Western in an Allied Victory. Allied and Soviet Allied) and one Double Agent shuffled in

to create the Allied Deck, and 26 Axis (German Crosses and The remaining cards form the Allied Draw Deck. Place it face Fascist Symbols) and one Double Agent shuffled in to create down within easy reach of the Allied player. the Axis Deck. 10.2.1.2 Full Game: Axis Pre-Game Conflict Card Deck 10.2 Full Game 1941 Remove all six Conflict cards with a Reroll Bonus associated with them (4.1.3; Lieutenant-General, Field Marshal, and Su- Use the following table to set up the Full Game map. preme Commander of the Fascists and German Suits, respec- Boxes Map tively) from the Axis Deck. Shuffle these removed cards, and Nazi-Soviet In force; place a Axis None deal the four (4) Starting Conflict cards, face down, to the Axis Pact in gray cube marker Control on player (the number is Scenario specific; see 10.2 Axis Hand Effect box in the box Sea Size). Return the two remaining Bonus Conflict cards to the Axis Draw Deck. Axis Yes; place star-side Axis None Big Push up black hexagonal Control on Shuffle the Axis Draw Deck and deal four cards more, face Available marker (to Land down, to the Axis player. These eight dealt Conflict cards are the box signify Operation Starting Axis Conflict card hand. The player may now take up Barbarossa’s availability, 6.7.2) this Hand of Conflict cards, keeping it secret from the opponent. Allied No Allied None The remaining cards form the Axis Draw Deck. Place it face Big Push Control on down within easy reach of the Axis player. Available Sea box 10.2.2 1941 Full Game: Pre-Game Event Draw and Resolutions Bonus Place the gold Allied None Design Note: To reflect the Axis advantage as well as the Actions box colored hexagonal Control on fluid and uncertain situation for both sides during the Spring marker near, but Land of 1941, each game begins not only with a different mix of not in, the box Conflict cards in players’ hands, but also with each player’s Events. This gives the Axis player a notable if fleeting advan- Italy No Axis None tage to exploit in seeking a swift victory. Surrendered Fortifications Use the following procedures to first conduct the Allied and Axis Event Draws (10.2.2.1, 10.2.2.2), then to immediately resolve certain Events if they get drawn (10.2.2.3). Axis Hand 8 Allied None Size (place Axis Fortifications Note: The Original Draw symbol ( ) marks Events that are involved in the 1941 Pre-Game Event Draw. hexagonal marker in the box to indicate this) 10.2.2.1 Full Game: Allied Event Draw Allied Hand 6 Axis Fleets None Put the following Allied Only Events in a separate pile: Size (place Allied • Convoy (select the indicated card) hexagonal marker • Enigma in the box to indicate this) • Fleet Carriers Year of Play Place Axis and Allied Fleets None • Montgomery box Allied cylindrical markers in the Then, put the following Axis or Allied Events into that pile: At Start box • Counterattack star-side up to • Special Operations indicate an annual Reorganize Action • Master Spy is available (6.1). • War Production (select the indicated card) • Outfoxed 10.2.1 1941 Full Game: Allied and Axis Deals and Decks • Reserves 10.2.1.1 Full Game: Allied Pre-Game Conflict Card Deck From this pile of ten Event cards, after it is shuffled, the Allied Shuffle the Allied Conflict card deck and deal starting Conflict player randomly draws three Events and places them face up cards, face down, to the Allied player (the number of Conflict in front of the Allied player. cards is Scenario specific; see 10.2 Allied Hand Size). This is the initial Allied hand. The player may now take up that Hand of Conflict cards, keeping them secret from the opponent.

10.2.2.2 Full Game: Axis Event Draw Boxes Map Remove the unselected Allied Only Events and return them to Bonus Place gold Allied Control Algeria the appropriate Deck/Array (4.2.4). Leave the remaining Axis or Actions box hexagonal marker on Land Morocco Allied Events (those that were not chosen by the Allied player) near, but not in, Naples in what will now become the special Axis pile. Put the following the box Libya Axis Only Events into this pile: Note: place no Sicily • Guderian Soviet Control Syria/Levant markers • Rommel Tunisia • Stukas Italy Yes; place a yellow Axis Calais Surrendered cube in the box Fortifications Holland • The Bismarck Normandy • Von Manstein Rome • Von Rundstedt • Wolfpack (select the indicated card) Axis Hand 8 Allied Leningrad Size (place Axis Fortifications Stalingrad From this pile, after it is shuffled, the Axis player randomly hexagonal marker Moscow draws four Events and places them face up in front of that in the box to London player. Return the remaining Event cards to the appropriate indicate this) Deck/Array (4.2.4). Allied Hand 9 Axis Fleets Baltic Sea Size (place Allied Skaggerak 10.2.2.3 Full Game: Resolve Pre-Game Events hexagonal marker Resolve all of the following Events if they are drawn, in order: in the box to 1. Wolfpack indicate this) 2. War Production Year of Play Place Axis and Allied Fleets Mid-Atlantic box Allied cylindrical Channel 3. Convoy markers in the North Sea Once resolved, treat these three Events as any Recyclable Events End of 1943 Year Irish Sea Box star-side up to Tyrrhenian Sea ( , 4.2.5.4): place the Recyclable Events in the box top. Some indicate an annual Sicilian Sea of these Events may become available again during a Reshuffle Reorganize Action (5.4) or at the Year’s End (5.5). is available (6.1). 10.3 Short Game 1944 10.3.1 1944 Short Game: Axis Pre-Game Conflict Card Use the following table to set up the Short Game map. Players Deck may also and alternately reference the 1944 Setup map provided Shuffle the Axis Conflict card Deck and deal Starting Conflict with PAC #3. cards, face down, to the Axis player. This is the initial Axis hand. The player may now take up this Hand of eight Conflict cards, Boxes Map keeping them secret from the opponent. Nazi-Soviet No Axis Control Baltic Sea Pact in on Sea Skaggerak 10.3.2 1944 Short Game: Allied Pre-Game Conflict Effect box Card Deck Remove all six Conflict cards with a Reroll Bonus associated Axis No Axis Control Baltics with them (4.1.3: Lieutenant-General, Field Marshal [General Big Push on Land Bessarabia of the Army], and Supreme Commander from the Western and Available Crimea Soviet Allied Suits, respectively) from the Allied Deck. Also box Greece remove the Saboteurs and the Allied Double Agent card. Shuffle Minsk these nine removed cards, and deal six Conflict cards, face down, Vichy France to the Allied player. Yugoslavia Return the three remaining cards to the Allied Draw Deck (and Allied Yes; place a star- Allied Control Central Med. shuffle). Finally, draw more Conflict cards for a total Starting Big Push side up green Allied on Sea Channel hand of nine Conflict cards. Available hexagonal marker Gulf of Lyon box in the box (to Irish Sea The Allied player may now take up this Hand of Conflict cards, signify Operations Mid-Atlantic Overlord and keeping it secret from the opponent. Note: place no North Sea Bagration Soviet Control Sicilian (Sea) availability, 6.7.3 markers and 6.7.4) Strait Tyrrhenian Sea Western Med.

10.3.3 1944 Short Game: Pre-Game Event Draw and 10.4.1 Introductory Game I: 1941-1942 Special Card Resolutions Hand Differential Victory 10.3.3.1 Short Game: Allied Event Draw This two year scenario begins in 1941 and ends at the conclu- For the Allied player: sion of 1942. • One Strategic Bombing Event has been used. Place this If none of the Victory conditions (9.0) are met before the end of Recyclable Event ( ) in the box top. This Event may 1942, compare the Axis Hand Size to that of the Allies: become available again during a Reshuffle (5.4) or at the • If the Axis Hand Size is at least six cards greater than the Year’s End (5.5). Allies, the Axis wins a decisive victory. • The Vichy Defects! Event has been used. Remove this • If it is three to five cards greater than the Allies, the Axis wins Removable Event ( ) from the game. a substantive victory (which means the Axis player has done • Take Higgins Boats, T-34’s & Shermans, Zhukov, Air as well or better than historically and there remains at least Supremacy, and Maximum Effort and place them in front a hope of their winning the war). of the Allied player. • If it is not at least three cards greater than the Allied hand, the • Organize the remaining Allied Only Event cards into a pile Axis have suffered a devastating defeat. It is only a matter of and randomly select any other three Events from among the time and effusion of more blood before they will eventually available Allied Only Reusable ( ) and Returnable ( ) lose the war with the obliteration of Hitler’s Reich. Events. 10.4.2 Introductory Game II: 1941-1943 Special Card The Allied player therefore starts with eight Events in total. The Hand Differential Victory Event Holding Limit (4.2.2) is still six Events. Consider this This scenario begins in 1941 and ends at the conclusion of 1943. excess to derive from the 1943 Year End Bonus Events (5.5.1). If none of the Victory conditions (9.0) are met before the end 10.3.3.2 Short Game: Axis Event Draw of 1943, compare the Axis Hand Size to that of the Allies. Un- For the Axis player: like in the Introductory Game I (10.4.1), this Scenario’s victory determination focuses on the Allied Hand Size: • All Wolfpack Events have been used. Place these Recyclable Events ( ) in the box top. These Events may become • If the Allied Hand Size is at least six cards greater than the available again during a Reshuffle (5.4) or at the Year’s End Axis, the Allies win a decisive victory. (5.5). • If it is three to five cards greater than the Axis, the Allies win • Remove Iraq Revolts and Speer. Take these Removable a substantive victory (in that they have done as well or better Events ( ) from the game. than the historical Allies and have set the stage for D-Day and Operation Bagration: two campaigns that will eventually • Place Waffen SS in front of the Axis player. bring about the fall of Hitler’s Reich). • Randomly select any four other available Axis Only Reusable • If it is not at least three cards greater than the Axis hand, the ( ) and Returnable ( ) Events. Allies have suffered a major setback. The Axis gains precious The Axis player starts with five Events in total. time to strengthen its defenses, pursue advanced weapon technology, further test Allied resolve and perhaps even 10.3.4 1944 Short Game: Starting the Scenario survive past 1945. Such a result is an Axis player Victory. The game begins with the Allies taking an action which must be Operations Overlord and Bagration (6.7.3, 6.7.4), in that order. 10.4.3 Introductory Game III: Tournament Version The Axis player turn is already considered to have occurred, Players are encouraged to play either of the Introductory Games and Italy has surrendered. I or II twice; each taking a turn as the Axis. Whichever player does better as the Axis wins the match. 10.4 1941 Introductory Game(s) Players may choose one of two Introductory Game durations, two or three years (10.4.1, 10.4.2). Also a Tournament Version is suggested (10.4.3). The Introductory Scenarios cover only the first half of the war in Europe. Each Scenario ends prior to 1944, and therefore avoids use of the game’s special rules regarding Operations Overlord (6.7.3) and Bagration (6.7.4). Other regular rules for 1941 game set-up and Victory conditions (9.0) apply with the addition of the Hand Size Differential Victory.

A Word About the Game’s Box Cover Art Gamers familiar with WWII history may question the box top image of a Soviet T-34 being destroyed by a German 37mm anti-tank gun. During production prep, designer Mark McLaughlin delighted in advising social media critiques of that image by sharing the story of “Stielgranate” …the first hollow AT projectile ever created …and it was made for the 37mm piece, which was the main German AT gun of 1940-41 …a gun which was useless against the heavier French and British armor in the 1940 campaign, and even more so vs T34s (although still good to take out armored cars, halftracks, and as an infantry support gun: German infantry called them “door knockers”). The Germans designed a projectile which, while only effective at 300 yards, could penetrate 7 inches of armor.... more than any tank built at the time possessed.

Credits Designer: Mark G. McLaughlin Co-Designer, Developer, & Editor: Fred Schachter Solitaire Game Axis “Bot” Design and Development: VPJ Arponen With Exemplary Edit Assistance by: Ellis Simpson, VPJ Arponen With the Assistance of: Phil Spera, Peter Reese Art Director, Cover Art and Package Design: Rodger B. MacGowan Map Art: Charles Kibler, Mark Simonitch Manuals and Cards: Charles Kibler GMT Proofreader: Jonathan Squibb Proofreaders/Playtesters: Bob Turnbough, Ed Regendahl, Michael Schachter, Phil Garland, Melvin Casselberry, Robin Bielefeldt, Scot McConnachie, Jeffrey Newell, Jeff Marksz, Campbell McLaughlin, Matthias Jahr. Production Coordination: Tony Curtis Producers: Tony Curtis, Rodger MacGowan, Andy Lewis, Gene Billingsley & Mark Simonitch